Hyderabad, 22 April (HS): Former Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh Nadendla Bhaskar Rao passed away at the age of 90 on Wednesday. He breathed his last while undergoing treatment for age-related ailments at a private hospital in Hyderabad..

Bhaskar Rao entered the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1978 and served as a minister in the cabinet of then Chief Minister M. Chenna Reddy. He later played a key role in the formation of the Telugu Desam Party in 1982 and was regarded as one of its co-founders and a mentor to party founder N. T. Rama Rao.

Following the party’s victory in the 1983 Assembly elections, he served as Finance Minister in NTR’s cabinet. In August 1984, Bhaskar Rao led a political revolt against NTR while the latter was in the United States for medical treatment, assuming office as Chief Minister with the support of Congress (I) and a faction within the TDP.

After NTR’s return, a nationwide “Save Democracy” movement was launched with support from several opposition parties. The Centre subsequently intervened, leading to the recall of the Governor and reinstatement of NTR as Chief Minister after Bhaskar Rao resigned, marking a rare instance in Indian political history.

Later expelled from the TDP, Bhaskar Rao joined Congress (I) and was elected to the 12th Lok Sabha from Khammam in 1998. After a period of political inactivity, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in July 2019 in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Condolences poured in following his demise. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed grief, recalling Bhaskar Rao’s long political career and contributions to public welfare. He extended sympathies to the bereaved family.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu conveyed condolences and spoke to Bhaskar Rao’s son and Cabinet Minister Nadendla Manohar, expressing his sympathies.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also expressed grief, recalling Bhaskar Rao’s contributions as a lawyer and politician, and extended condolences to the family.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar